Can opener



March 20, 1951 OHARA 2,545,826

CAN OPENER Filed June 23, 1948 j b/g. 1.

VENTORS ROB F.0HARA OHN Hwslsuwg ATTCTTNEYS Patented Mar. 20, 1951 CAN OPENER Robert F. OHara and John H. Weisling,

Milwaukee, Wis,-

Application June 23, 1948, Serial No. 34,597

1 Claim.

Our invention refers to can openers, for milk or other fluid products.

The object of our invention is to provide a simple and ornamental housing for encasing sealed cans, the same being provided with a hollow spur in communication with a spout duct and a second spur in communication with a vent duct. The bottom of the housing is open and adapted to receive a can, the said open bottom being provided with a cap closure, in coupling connection with the open bottom, whereby pressure is exerted upon a can, to cause an end of the same to be punctured at two points.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangements of parts, substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claim, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention for the practical application of the principles thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of a can housing embodying the features of our invention, the section being indicated by line ll of Figure 3.

Figure 2 is a plan sectional view of the same, the section being indicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the same, the section being indicated by line 3--3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is another plan, sectional view through the housing upon a plane as indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring by characters to the drawings, I indicates a housing in the form of a pitcher, having a closed head I and a handle I".

The bottom of the pitcher or housing is formed with an open depending neck 2, and the outer face of which is provided with a screw thread.

The threaded neck 2 is closed by a cap 3, which cap is formed with internal threads for engagement with the threaded neck.

The cap 3 is also provided with a bottom shoulder 3', adapted to support the bottom of any standard, sealed can A. The upper face of the shoulder 3' is formed with vent slots 4, whereby air is introduced through the bottom into the housing.

The closed head I, of the housing, forming a shouldered vent cavity has extending downwardly therefrom a pair of hollow spurs, 4 and 4'.

The spur 4 communicates with a spout duct 5 and the spur 4 with a vent duct 5, each of the same being formed in the head.

For the purpose of cushioning and also to prevent leakage, each of the spurs has fitted to the base portion thereof, yieldable gaskets 6 and 6', the same being in engagement with the head surfaces about the ducts.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent when a can is to be opened for use, it is inserted into the housing, whereby its top face will engage the points of the spurs. Thereafter, the bottom cap is fitted to the threaded neck 2, and as said cap is revolved, for threaded coupling engagement with the neck 2, the cap shoulder which is in constant engagement with the bottom of the can, will cause the same to be forced upwardly, whereby the spurs will pierce the can, for discharging its contents and for venting the same, it being understood that the top of the can will be sealed by the gaskets 6 and 6'.

It will also be apparent that an air vent is insured, due to the fact that the shoulder slots 4, will permit proper circulation of air. Hence it will be noted that a pleasing container or housing, in any form will serve as a jacket for a canned product, whereby the contents thereof may be poured out and said contents will also be protected against vermin or the like.

While we have illustrated a can of sufficient dimensions to be punctured, when the cap is properly seated, however, in some instances, where small cans are used, we may insert two of said cans in the housing, the lower one of which may be empty. Thus the proper length is provided, whereby the upper can is punctured in the usual manner.

From the foregoing description, it should be noted that the cavity in the head of the housing is freely vented from the bottom cap, whereby the flow of the can contents is insured, and it should also be noted that the housing in the form of a pitcher has simply one spout opening therein and no complicated mechanism for controlling the flow of the can contents.

While we have shown a continuous threaded coupling connection, between the neck of the housing and its cap, we may in some instances provide the neck with Wedge surfaces or interrupted threads, whereby the proper inclined plane section is developed, to forcibly cause the can to be punctured.

We claim:

In a can opener comprising a housing, having a can receiving cavity opening out through its lower end, a head on the upper end of the housing having an internal stop shoulder and an open neck at its bottom end, the side wall of the cavity being spaced from a can inserted in the cavity to develop an air passage from the housing neck to the head cavity, the head having a spout duct and a vent duct in communication with the cavity, can puncturing spurs extending from the spout duct and vent duct into the cavity, an open ended shoudered cap in threaded connection with 4 the housing neck, the upper face of the cap shoulder being provided with vent slots, whereby air is admitted to the bottom of the housing to the cavity for venting a can inserted in said housing.

ROBERT F. OHARA. JOHN H. WEISLING.

10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Shuler Feb. 4, 1930 Number 

